Windscreen Wiper Failure

poghead

Member
Evening,

Contrary to what seems the more obvious issues of slack bushes or a bad earth, my wiper failed on me whilst in torrential rain, lucky I was close to Rugby services and had some RainX to hand. Once at my destination I had a proper look and have found the issue, I can’t find that someone else has had this as a stand-alone issue - just wondering if it’s an easy repair/maintenance job. Basically where 2 meets 5 in the diagram has popped off but goes back into place, just not sure how long it will hold again. Thanks in advance for any tips.


Tried to upload the image but there’s an issue with the app.

Joss


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Wear in the ball / socket. So a mechanical failure rather than electrical or the usual worn rivets.

You may have just been unlucky and excessive force was being applied to the joint due to wind and heavy rain. As it has popped off once good chance that it will again.

Do not know which parts are available new, but like everything else on these old models do tend to become NLA. In both cases the part was only ever fitted to the A2 and no other model.

Replacement used parts may be the only answer but you could still be in the same or even worse situation.


I do not know exactly what angles these parts twist during operation, but if there is still clearance I would be tempted to drill and tap the ball to take a bolt and washer to act as a retainer to prevent the arm jumping off the ball. You may need a small spacer to extend above the arm before fitting the bolt and washer.
 
For a temporary repair, I’ve had success using a strong piece of polythene (such as that used for bags of sand/gravel) placed over the ball and then the socket pressed back over. This takes up the wear in the joint and will usually last a few more days/weeks.
 
Thanks for the replies, il try to and source the parts and sort on my next set of days off. Might even do a little how to! :)

Poghead


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The arm does appear hard to get but the linkage from deutsche-parts is spot on. Working on the principle that the ball in the arm is harder than the plastic bush in the linkage, I think replacing the linkage alone will probably be sufficient as long the ball is not distorted or obviously unevenly worn..

Remove the motor assembly from the car and everything is there to see and work on.

Here is the relevant section of the manual for the job...




Remember the manual is written for left hand drive vehicles so some steps not needed for right hand drive. It will be clear when you compare the instruction steps what is needed and what isn't.


Edit just checked and the linkage is now out of stock with deutsche-parts so hopefully you acted earlier and bought one.

Audi Tradition have the linkage listed.
 
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